Ash Wednesday Mass in Emerald

 We all gatheredarly on Ash Wednesday morning to begin the solemnity of our Lenten journey.  Our ceremony began outside the church with the burning of last year’s palms and reflecting on what we wanted to let go of from the previous twelve months.

 ”We rise again from ashes “ then became our theme song for celebrating Mass.  Fr Raj gave a very uplifting homily and reminded us to adopt the Gospel message and turn away from sin and repent.  We were then blessed with the ashes and instructed to go and preach the Word

 All in all it was a very solemn and reflective ceremony, liturgy and mass to help us focus on our Lenten journey.

St Patrick’s Day

 ”Hail Glorious St Patrick’s” - 17th March is always a day of wonderful celebration at St Patrick’s community in Emerald in the midst of Lent this day is always joyful and full of fun - only the Irish would make that rule many years ago!! And traditions have to be adhered to!!

How nostalgic and emotional was it to see our beloved Fr Dan on the big screen. He would have approved of “his” flock keeping up Irish traditions.  Fr Raj (a missionary himself) spoke of the Irish missionaries (like Fr Dan) who brought the faith to Australia and like their patron St Patrick nurtured the faith in so many communities.

This was a family fun day with BBQ brunch,  games and friendship followed by mass.

☘️ the Irish spirit is still very alive at St Pat’s Emerald

Margaret Smith